As one of the most anticipated vape devices of the year, the Purge Ally Pod Kit has finally arrived in stores. Does this little device live up to all the hype? Can it live up to the hype? It’s not going to be easy, especially with the incredibly stiff competition on the market in terms of pod devices. When talking about systems like this, manufacturers have to be able to outperform legendary kits like the Orion and the Caliburn. At a whopping $60+ price point, the Purge Ally had better blow those other options out of the water. Without further ado, let’s see what they bring to the table.
Specs
- Dimensions: 9mm x 43.65mm x 16.4mm
- Battery: Integrated 950mAh
- Wattage Range: 5 – 30W
- Display:69” OLED Screen
- Juice Capacity:0mL
- Coil Ratings:8ohm Mesh Pod
Features
- 3 Power Output Modes
- Temperature Limiting Dry Hit Protection
- Adjustable Airflow Control – both MTL & DTL Options
- Hinged Pod Storage
Reviews
Vaping Bogan
Pros
- Form factor is great
- Feels solid and weighty in hand
- Looks really nice
- Really nice build quality
- TC option
- Interchangeable panels and custom options
- Airflow has a good range from MTL to restricted DTL
- Flavor is fantastic, as good as Orion, almost as good as Caliburn
Cons
- No juice window to check levels
- Puff counter resets when turned off
- Pods not included
Jai Haze
Pros
- Pretty good airflow for restricted DTL
- Designed for customization
Cons
- Too expensive for what it is
- No real innovation
- Very annoying to open it up
- Vastly outperformed by its primary competitor, the Orion
- Too big & heavy for a pod system
Phoenix Vapor
Pros
- Swappable panels are cool
- Looks really nice
- Ergonomic
- Removable drip tip
- Good fill system
- Airflow is good & smooth
- Flavor is among the best
Cons
- Stainless steel is poorly finished
- Pod compartment is too hard to open
- Panels don’t fit snugly
- Panel magnets are far too weak & they can fall right off
- Airflow is easily covered accidentally by lips while vaping
- Stuck with only one pod option
Conclusion
We started this review off by setting clear parameters for the Purge Ally: Can it outperform things like the Uwell Caliburn or the Lost Vape Orion? The short answer is no, but there’s a little bit more to that story, so stick around as we break things down for you, beginning with the cons.
First major con is going to have to do with the flip-top pod replacement situation. Arguably the biggest gripe with this is that the hinged top cap is very, very difficult to flip open, especially when you first start using it. While it eases up over time, the frustration you’ll experience trying to open up your device to refill or check you liquid levels could turn you off right away.
Then, we can get into the panels. While the Purge Ally was clearly built for easy customization, they may have strayed too far in that direction while designing the panels and their connective magnets. These magnets are actually so loose that the panels can fly right off the pod system while you’re just holding it. Really not a great design oversight. Furthermore, the included panels have a bit of play to them, not fitting snugly in the channels on the device. To make matters worse, people have complained of poor finishing on the stainless-steel version. Reviewers received devices which were unevenly finished or included scratches.
The airflow design is another questionable decision on Purge’s part. While it’s nice that the airflow adjustment is external, it also sits right at the bottom of the drip tip. While this eliminates some of the issues posed by bottom airflow rings, it adds another problem: you can accidentally cover the airflow with your lips while vaping. It’s actually surprisingly easy to do so, as well, given that the drip tip is not particularly long.
Finally, the price point has to be talked about as a con. Priced upwards of $60 on some sites, everybody knows you’re paying for the brand recognition. Purge is an American company with a long history of making high-quality devices. On the other hand, it’s a pod system, and, at that price point, you have to be expecting an extremely well-crafted device. For most vapers, it’s going to be hard to justify dropping that kind of money on a portable device.
There are some great things to talk about here though. For instance, the performance of this device is absolutely superb. The flavor quality is definitely up there with the other heavy hitters and the airflow range is phenomenal. By closing it all the way down, you can get a nice, restrictive MTL. If you open it all the way up, you’re able to get a restricted lung hit.
The customizable panels, which are arguably its biggest feature, are a really nice touch too. While Purge doesn’t currently offer any panels for this purpose, there is sure to be a custom market for panels if you’re into them. Same goes with the drip tip, which is interchangeable.
Then, of course, you get all the features you’d expect from a high-end pod system. You have adjustable wattage, a clear and easy-to-use screen, and even a temperature control feature to protect against dry hits. There are a lot of features here which really lend the device a premium feel.
Final Thoughts
This is a tough one to give final thoughts on. While the performance is superb, it’s hard not to feel like you deserve something more unique and innovative at the Purge Ally’s price. We haven’t even touched on the fact that the box doesn’t include pods – that’s a separate expense altogether. When you’re dropping that kind of cash for a device which is easily matched by the Caliburn or Orion, you’ve got to ask yourself why. The only reason I can really think of to pick this kit up is that you’re an obsessive customizer. Maybe you love the flavor and quality of the other premium devices, but were frustrated by how challenging they were to customize. Then, the Purge Ally is for you. For anybody else, it’s a challenge to come up with a reason to pick this over the others. It’s good, for sure, but, at the end of the day, I think they’ve really priced themselves into a corner. Maybe wait for a sale on this one.
